Westside Digest

Santa Monica : Restaurant on Main OKd

The City Council voted Tuesday to make an exception to its zoning laws to allow a new restaurant on Main Street.

Jay Fiondella, who has operated Chez Jay on Ocean Avenue for 30 years, will now be able to move the restaurant to a building he recently purchased on Main Street.

"I'm elated. It's been a long, rocky road," Fiondella said after the council approved the exemption by a 5-2 vote.

Council members Ken Genser and Judy Abdo said they were sympathetic to Fiondella, but voted against the exemption because they oppose any waivers of a city ordinance that allows only four restaurants on each block of Main Street in the downtown area.